316 THE REASON WHY: 



1 A lizard's body lean and long, 

 A fish's head, a serpent's tongue." MERRICK. 



and the air is forced down the windpipe into the lungs, which 

 become filled by a repetition of the process. 



1007. Why have tortoises and turtles no teeth ? 



Because, for cropping the tender vegetation upon which they 

 live, teeth are less adapted than the serrated horny coverings with 

 which they are provided, and by which they are enabled to crop 

 and mince the vegetable aliment upon which they subsist. 



ORDER II.-SAURIA. 



1008. Wliy is the second order of reptiles denominated sauria ? 



From a Greek word meaning a lizard. The mouths of these 

 animals are always armed with teeth, and the toes are generally 

 furnished with claws. They have all a tail more or less long, and 

 generally very thick at the base. 



1009. Wliy does the crocodile, which devours birds, beasts, and 

 even human beings, allow one species of bird, the zic-zac, to be on 

 familiar terms with him ? 



It is said that when the crocodile comes on shore, he opens his 



jaws, and this bird enters 

 and swallows the leeches 

 which are found about the 

 animal's jaws and teeth, and 

 which have collected tltere 

 owing to the creature being 

 for so long a time in tha 

 water; the relief aiforded 

 by having the leeches with- 

 drawn, induces the croco 

 dile not only to tolerate the 

 advances of the bird, but to encourage them. 



